Means for dispensing coiled wire from a container



May 23, 1961 F. K. TASH IRO 2,985,404

MEANS FOR DISPENSING COILED WIRE FROM A CONTAINER Filed June 16, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FRHNI A. Tqa-H/m a Qlwi f May 23, 1961 F. K.TASHIRO MEANS FOR DISPENSING COILED WIRE FROM A CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed June 16, 1958 R mm m m M MQEM 1. JT 7 #N K w. n 5 m 0 J m m m mm w ttes finite MEANS FOR DISPENSING COILED WIRE FROM A CONTAINER Thisinvention relates to devices for dispensing coiled wire, rope, or thelike from containers.

More particularly, the invention has reference to an improved form ofdevice whereby wire, rope or the like may be conveniently, naturally andspeedily dispensed from a coil while it is enclosed in a container orcarton for handling, protection and shipment.

As used herein, the term naturally refers to the condition of thedispensed wire. The wire is returned for all practical purposes to thecompletely neutral hence, natural state is assumed before it was coiled.This is accomplished due to the inherent capacity of the device todispense the wire in precisely the reverse order from that in which thewire was coiled. The wire is orderly uncoiled from the innermost coilwithout disturbance to the remaining coils.

As used herein, the term speedy, refers to the rapidity ofidentification of the desired wire, of mounting, of dismounting, ofstorage, and of the capacity for high speed dispensing and recoilingoperations made possible as the wire coil is retained in its originalcarton until completely dispensed.

As used herein, the term conveniently, refers to the ease of wireidentification, the simplicity of operation, the capacity to recoilexcess footage and the preservation of the container cartons for anorderly and compact storage.

While the present invention is adapted for use with coiled wire, rope,small diameter flexible tubing, tape or the like, it is primarilyintended for the dispensing of wire. Therefore, it will be described asused in connection with wire coils but with the understanding that theterm Wire is intended to designate any material with which the devicemay be employed in a like manner for the same purpose.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a device of reelform, on which a carton or container, in which the coil of wire isconfined, may be mounted for the dispensing operation, and from whichthe wire may be speedily and naturally withdrawn without causing kinkingor entanglement of the wire.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of areel form, including a turntable equipped with a central capstan, orspindle, on to which a prepared carton containing a coil of wire may bemounted and rotated for a speedy withdrawal of the wire from the carton,and which, if desired, may be rotated in a reverse direction for thepurpose of recoiling any portion of the withdrawn wire back into thecarton.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device ofthe character and for the purpose stated above, wherein the capstan iscoaxial with the turntable, and is designed to be upwardly projectingthrough the bottom of the mounted carton containing the wire coil andholds the carton and the turntable against relative motion during thedispensing operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sleeve member .forthe capstan or spindle, to accommoiii;

date the device to cartons of greater height, and to provide a capstansleeve for wire that requires a cylindrical capstan, and also for thegeneration of coils to facilitate the rewinding operation, and toprovide the sleeve member with a means for its manual rotation, a meansfor its concurrent rotation with the capstan, and a means for curbingthe wire from spiraling above the sleeve member.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention reside in thedetails of construction and combination of the various parts embodyingthe device, and in the mode of use of the device for its intendedpurposes, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects I have providedthe improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wire dispensing device embodied by thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the device taken on the axial plane ofthe turntable and capstan.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the capstan, taken on line 3-3 inFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of mounting theusual coil containing carton on the table and capstan.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the upper end portion of thecapstan and the capstan sleeve that is applicable thereover.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the capstan sleeve as applied overthe capstan.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken through the capstan sleeve andcapstan above the level of the carton or container when assembled as inFig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the top side of one carton and theunderside of another as prepared for application to the capstan andturntable.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of a capstan of an alternative form ofconstruction.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

For a better understanding of the present invention, it will first bementioned in coils of wire, rope and other materials for which thepresent device is to be used, they are sold in trade in cardboardcartons of standardized dimensions; such cartons being square in planand of varying depths, depending on the material contained therein. Inthe present drawings the carton is designated by numeral Iii. Theproportionate dimensions of most cartons used with this device aresubstantially as indicated in Fig. 4. The material, herein referred toas Wire, is formed into a coil which is laid flatly in the carton; sucha coil being designated by reference numeral 11 in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. Toprepare the coil containing carton 10 for use with the presentdispensing device, a .circular opening 12 is cut centrally in its topwall 10a and the bottom wall 10b is formed with three short slits 13radiating from the center point thereof, as has been shown in Fig. 8.

The components of this dispensing device comprise a vertical standard15, a turntable 18, with a central capstan, a set collar 26, and acapstan sleeve. The vertical standard 15, is fixed centrally on ahorizontal circular base member 16. The standard has an upper endportion 15x, of reduced diameter, thus providing the standardmedially'of its ends with an upwardly facing, annular shoulder 17, asbest shown in Fig. 2. Supported by the standard for rotation thereabout,is a horizontal turntable 18. This is here shown to be square in'formrbut may be circular, and is formed centrally, as noted -in1F;ig.2, with a hole or passage :19 through which the larger lower end portionof the standard 15 extends with clearance. Mounted centrally on theturntable 18 is a capstan or standard comprising a base plate 20' ofannular form that is disposed flatly upon the turntable concentricallyabout the hole 19; this plate being fixed to the turntable by means ofscrew bolts 21. Fixed to the ring or plate 20, are three vertical fins22. These are arranged at equal angular intervals about the axial lineof the turntable and ring with their inner edges welded 'or otherwisefixed to the tube or sleeves 25 and 25x that rotatably contain the upperend portion 151: of the standard therein.

The tube 25x terminates at its lower end somewhat above the ring 20 withits end surface resting on the shoulder 17, of the standard 15. The setcollar 26, is used to secure the rotatable capstan turntable assembly tothe standard 15. I employ a set screw 28, that is threaded through theset collar and tightened against the standard 15x. As noted in Fig. 2,the fins 22 are recessed at their lower ends as at 29, to give clearancefor the set collar 26. The lower end portions of the fins are clear ofthe standard 15, so that the turntable can turn freely thereon.

It is also a feature of the invention that the tube 25 terminates at itsupper end somewhat above the top edges of the fins in a sharply beveledend surface 32. Also, as shown in the several views, the upper edges ofthe fins 22 are upwardly and inwardly beveled at a sharp angle a to aidin the applying of a carton thereover, as presently explained.

Assuming the device to be so constructed, it is used as follows: Acontainer or carton 10 in which the coil of wire is contained in theusual manner is prepared by first cutting out the central portion of thetop wall to form a circular opening 12 of substantial diameter as shownin Figs. 4, 7 and 8. Then the bottom Wall of the carton is incised withthe three radially directed slits 13, as shown in Fig. 8.

The carton is then applied to the device by positioning it horizontally,centrally, and directly over the capstan spindle 32 and then by forcingit down over the capstan, in such a manner as to allow the capstan fins22 to engage the radial slits 13, until it is seated on the turntable.The parts will then assume the positions and relationships as shown inthe full lines in Fig. 4. The inner end of the wire coil is then graspedand the wire drawn out through the opening 12 to the length desired. Asthe wire is drawn out, it spirals from the coil to the capstan and thenhelically climbs the capstan to rise out of the carton through theopening 12. The tension on the wire during its withdrawal causes thishelix to close about the capstan and bind on the capstan fins. Thisbinding provides the traction of the wire on the capstan which causesthe rotation of the turntable and the carton. This rotation iscompatible with the turns in the wire coil so that the wire is deliveredin its natural state, free from entanglements of any kind, whenwithdrawn. This dispensing process can be reversed by manual counterrotation of the device for the purpose of returning the wire back intothe carton.

If it is desired to remove a carton from the standard, at any time, itis easily lifted oif. It is also possible to place two or more cartonson top of the first one if this should be desired and then dispense wirefrom the uppermost carton.

It is preferred that the top of the turntable be covered with a pad 40of rubber or other suitable material of a like character, as shown inFig. 2, against which the carton will rest.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown a sleeve member for application about thefins as applied to the capstan. This sleeve member is in the form of atube 42 which is of such diameter as to fit closely about the fins asshown in Fig. 7. The length of the tube is such that when it rests atitslower end against the interior bottom of the applied carton, its upperend projects somewhat above the upper end of tube 2'5 as indicated indotted lines on Fig. 5. The sleeve isformed lengthwise with an inwardlyprojecting flange 43 adapted to engage against any one of the fins 22when the sleeve has been applied, as shown in Fig. 7. At its upper endthe tubular member 42 is equipped with a somewhat larger andhorizontally disposed turning ring 44 attached by a plurality of arms 45extending upwardly and outwardly from the tube. This ring is provided atone point with an upwardly projecting crank handle 46. a

When the sleeve device 42 is used, it is applied over the fins anddownwardly through the circular opening 12 so as to rest on the interiorbottom of the uppermost container or carton that has been positioned onthe turntable. Then the cartons may be rotated for unwinding orrewinding the wire coil by use of the crank 46.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated an alternative form of carton mountingstandard 50; this being square in cross-section and fixed at its lowerend to the ring 20. It is equipped with a coaxial tubular mounting hub51, corresponding to the sleeve 25 to receive the reduced upper endportionof the standard 15x in the same manner as indicated in Fig. 2.The length of the square standard 50 would be such that it could be putto the same purpose and use as the capstan sleeve 42 shown in Fig. 6

It is anticipated that a dispensing device of the type herein disclosedand described may also be used with a loose, free or open coil which isnot confined within a container. The coil is placed upon turntable andabout the capstan in a position similar to a box of wire. The wire isdrawn from the coil in the same manner as when contained in the box. At41 I have indicated a hole in the platform through which the outer endof the wire may be projected so as to provide a means for anchoring orsecuring this end. In lieu of a hole, a clip or other means may be usedfor securing the outer end of the coil to retain the outer turns of thecoil in position.

Devices of the character described greatly facilitate the dispensing ofwire coiled in containers without neces' sitating the removal of thecoil. It provides for the dispensing of the wire from coils withoutentanglement. It enables excess wire withdrawn from the containers to bercwound and disposed back within the container in an orderly condition.

The preparation of the cartons with openings 12 and 13 may be done atthe time of their application to the turntable or at the time ofmanufacture of the carton. Though it makes for easy application of thecontainers to the capstan, it is not necessary to provide the slits 13in the bottom of the containers. If the containers are applied with someforce, the pointed end 32 and fins 22 will readily pierce and cut thebottom of the container.

What I claim as new is:

1. In combination, a paper box of coiled wire or the like and adispensing device for the coiled wire, said box comprising a bottom anda top with a central opening therein, the wire in the box being coiledconcentric of said opening, said dispensing device comprising a base, avertical standard mounted on said base, a capstan rotatably mounted onsaid standard, a horizontal turntable secured to and supported by saidcapstan at the lower end thereof, said turntable providing supportingmeans for said box with the capstan projecting upwardly through the boxand concentric with the coil of wire, and said capstan including acenter tube and a plurality of radially directed fins attached alongtheir respective inner, vertical edges to said tube, said finsprojecting through the bottom of the box in holding engagement therewithto maintain the box in fixed position on said turntable and said finsproviding means to be grippingly engaged by wire withdrawn from the boxwhereby the turntable, box and capstan are caused to rotate incident tothe withdrawal of wire from the box;

2. A combination as in claim 1 wherein a recess is provided in thecapstan intermediate its ends .and a .set'

collar is secured to said standard within said recess to retain theturntable and capstan on the standard,

3. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said fins include upward andinwardly inclined edges at their upper ends and the tube is pointed atits upper end.

4. In combination, a paper box of coiled Wire or the like and adispensing device for the coiled wire, said box comprising a bottom anda top with a central opening therein, the wire in the box being coiledconcentric of said opening, said dispensing device comprising a base, avertical standard mounted on said base, a capstan rotatably mounted onsaid standard, a horizontal turn table secured to and supported by saidcapstan at the lower end thereof, said turntable providing supportingmeans for said box with the capstan projecting upwardly through the boxand concentric with the coil of wire, and said capstan including acenter tube and a plurality of radially directed fins attached alongtheir respective inner, vertical edges to said tube, said finsprojecting through the bottom of the box in holding engagementtherewith, an extension means applied to the capstan to increase theheight thereof, said extension means including a cylindrical sleeve andmeans on the inner surface of the sleeve to engage said fins to retainthe sleeve in position relative to the capstan.

5. A combination as in claim 4 wherein the extension means includes anoutwardly flared top.

6. A combination as in claim 4 wherein the sleeve member is providedwith a crank for rotating the sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,488,541 Hasen Apr. 1, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS v 280,703 Switzerland May1, 1952

